Find out more about travelling to the UK, visas, vaccines and read the letter from the Government.
Published Wednesday, 25th August, 2021 in University news
As we approach the beginning of the new academic year, we’re looking forward to welcoming both new and returning students. For international students, we understand there may be added concerns so have provided a summary of information relevant to you.
Travelling to the UK
If you are planning to travel to the UK, please check whether the country you are travelling from is on England’s red, amber or green travel list:
- If you have travelled from or through a red list country 10 days before arrival, you must quarantine in a managed quarantine hotel. You must book this in advance of your travel.
- If you have travelled from or through an amber list country, you must complete a 10-day period of self-isolation in your own accommodation upon arrival. Depending on whether you have been vaccinated and the vaccine you’ve had you may be exempt from this.
- If you have travelled from or through a green list country you do not have to self-isolate in your accommodation or enter managed quarantine, but you must still ensure you have booked a pre-departure test, completed a passenger locator form and booked a travel test package.
If you are travelling from a country that is on the self-isolation list on the day of travel as part of our international students welcome, you can now apply for a shopping voucher to buy food and essential items that you might need during this quarantine period and to help you get settled in.
In order to apply for this funding, please complete the online request form.
You can find more information here.
If you will be joining us online for term 1, your school should be in contact to make arrangements to ensure you still receive high quality teaching. If you have any queries regarding this, you should get in touch with your Course Office.
Student visas and post-study work offer
In light of the pandemic and recognising that not all students will be able to travel to the UK. Student (Tier 4) visas will include the provision of online study outside of the UK until 6th April 2022. This means if you plan to join us in the UK at later date, your visa status will not be affected until then.
International students who commenced their degree course for 12 months or less of the 2020/21 academic year will remain eligible for the post-study work offer (Graduate route), as long as you successfully receive a Student visa, travel to the UK, and make your Graduate route application before either your Student visa ends or 27th September 2021 - whichever is earlier. Students who begin a course of 12 months or less this autumn or early next year will need to enter by 6 April 2022.
If you need support with visa applications or the graduate route, you should contact the International Student Advice team.
Covid-19 vaccinations
While students won’t be required to have been vaccinated in order to come to study in England, we strongly encourage for students to do at their earliest opportunity to help keep our City community safe.
If you have the option to be vaccinated in your current country of residence, it is recommended that you take that offer. If this is not feasible, then we encourage you to do so at the earliest opportunity once you are in the UK.
If you have received a first dose already, but still require a second which you won’t be able to receive before you come to the UK, the NHS has laid out a procedure ensuring you can receive a second dose here, regardless on whether your initial vaccine is one offered in the UK.
You can find more information on vaccines by reading these Covid-19 vaccinations FAQs for students in Higher Education Institutions.
Letter to International students
You can read a letter sent out by Michelle Donelan, Minister for Universities, for International students here.